Bill on Sir Gawain and friends off to a gig

I am Bill Church, a former Primary Headteacher, with a passion for sharing stories with people from 3 years up to 103 years of age.

I taught in Gloucestershire primary schools for a significantly long time (rumour has it that Henry V111 had just married his first wife when I started!) I was a Headteacher for 21 years at two different schools (Cashes’ Green and Dursley C. of E.). Before becoming a Head I was seconded to work in Gloucestershire Schools to help develop children’s writing and run In-Service work for teachers. While at Dursley, I was fortunate to work for 3 months with teachers on the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, developing literacy themes: I told stories in the schools as well as reading a story on the island’s radio station. I also worked for 2 years as a Primary Consultant Headteacher within Gloucestershire. I ran Inset sessions in recent years for teachers and Forest School leaders on telling stories.

Whenever I can I will cycle to my destination on “Sir Gawain”or "Shadowfax", my trusty mounts! When not working I can be found playing or watching sport (if watching my beloved Luton Town can be called sport!) or with a telescope watching birds in and around the River Severn. I am also a cricket coach.

I love stories; finding them (and the story’s story!), telling them and writing them! I have been employed as a Story Teller in schools, village halls, pubs and public parks. I have told stories to a wide range of audiences of all ages; these include children, parents, families, teachers and other groups of adults. I will often arrive on a bike with my panniers stuffed with props, including puppets for my younger listeners.

I believe that everybody can tell stories; I am keen to help people whatever their age do this.  So I have run story writing and telling workshops for adults – including parents and nursery staff – as well as for children themselves.